In A.D, 1708, K'anghsi ordered native astronomers to compare the system of Western astronomy with that of the Mussulmans, with the result that the following defects wore remarked: Arab astronomy employed two equations for the moon and the five planets. The conjunctions of the moon and the planets were frequently incorrect Allunay month of 80. days often set down instead of one of 29. An intercalary month was laced in a year where it should not be (Gaubil, History of Chinese Astronomy. p. 134). This induced the monarch to urge the publication of a new work, embodying all the most recent and authentic informa tion on the science, and in 1713, a collection in 42 books Bi) received the Imperial sanction, The first part is theoretical, th second practical, and the last cot sists of various tables. There are Several points in which this differs from the large work of the Ming dynasty. The obliquity of the ecliptic is given from native observation as 23d. 20m, 80s. being 2 minutes less than Tycho Brahe. There are also some differences in the principle of ealeutating the positions of the heavenly bodies, but the Ptolems theory is still retained (Wylie, Notes on Chinese Literatture, Astronomy and Mathematics 110), Later on, in view of the new dis coveries made by Cassini and Flam-stead, an appendix was added in 10 Books," The latter was due to Fathers' Koegler (##i@4f) and Andrew Pereyra (PAG). gives the sun's parallax a 10 seconds, instead of 3 minutes, the old number, The angle of refraction at the horizon is changed from 34 to 82 minutes, and at an altitude of 45 deg., 50 seconds are given instead The elliptic orbits of the planets are of 5 seconds, the former number.
suggested as more in conformity with observation than the epicycles, and Kepler's law of equal areas in equal times is stated. The revolution of Venus, Mercury and. Mars round the sun is also set forth, but the whale are still made to revolve about the earth as the centre (Wylie, Notes on Chinese Litera ture. Astronomy and Mathematics P. 1i{1). It is probable that the Fathers maintained the Ptolemate system, or rather that of Tycho Brahe,' through deference for the decisions of the Holy Office, and also astronomy," rms this epi so "never seeks the causes cif heavenly phenomena, The theoretical a'de is thoroughly" neglected; it may even id it proves nothing rationally.
is a collection of simple and pri-initive observations applied through fixed conventional rules handed Gown from age to age." If Western astronomy has made more progress than that of China, this is prin ly due to its seeking the causes of celestial phenomena, and applying to facts, thus showing that y bodies are governed tical Jawa, the discovery is the glory of sele and the noblest endeavours of human Caxorus,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.